Author: realiTEE

What is fast fashion, & what you can do about it

beauTEE, beauty, lifestyle

Going into 2020 I really thought long & hard about my intentions and what I wanted to achieve in the next 12 months and how that contributed to getting me closer to the person I want to be. I wanted to make commitments that were realistic for me, SMART goals (if you don’t know about SMART goals check out my fitness goals for 2020 where I really break this down).

A massive area for me is consumerism, and using my money to vote. I probably don’t know as much about politics as I should but I do know & love the fashion industry.

Here’s what I love about fashion, it’s a freedom to express yourself, experiment, mix match, diverse into other cultures and you can’t get it wrong. There is no wrong way to do fashion, you’ll never have everyone love your outfit but as long as you do who cares. There’s a endorphin hit the moment you put something on and it just works. The colour compliments your skin tone, the shape flows with your body and all of a sudden you’re bursting with happiness & joy.

Even when you look back at the loudest & craziest choices later in life you’ll always laugh & smile. This was one of my outfit highlights of 2019;

Ootd

Things I hate about fashion;

FAST FASHION!

Hands up I’ll admit I’m guilty as charged, I’ve ordered just because, I’ve ordered clothes & not sent them back, I’ve ordered clothes because they looked great on a 5ft Asian woman with dark hair on Instagram < I’m 5’7 pale skinned with blonde hair, we’re chalk & cheese, what works for others doesn’t always work for you!

My point is fast fashion is such a society norm and a way of life it’s like the matrix, we don’t know any better until we start to look.

So with the intention to take my blog down a more sustainable & ethical road this year (I make no promises to be perfect I’m just a girl, living in a city trying to do her bit for humanity)

What is fast fashion;

You may or may not have heard the term fast fashion although it’s coming up more & more in the news which is great to shine a light on it.

Fast fashion is ‘fast’ in every part of the lifecycle: production is fast; customer’s decision to purchase is fast; delivery is fast (we’ve all ordered at 10:59pm for next day delivery); and the products live fast and die hard, and that’s if you’ve worn it more than once. It is a model that is entirely unsustainable.

True cost of fast fashion

Clothes don’t disappear once you put the in the bin & they don’t belong in the bin.

The reality is fast fashion companies use a mixture of cheap man made materials — that’s why the clothes are so cheap! £2 tees and BOGO sales: Great for the wallet, yes, but the problem with these man made materials is there’s no way for them to break down once in landfill, so they just sit there for centuries. This is the negative impact fast fashion is having on the environment.

FACT: clothing waste that cannot break down accounts for 20% of our water pollution.

How to spot a fast fashion brand:

Fast fashion brands typically always have some sort of sale on, offer a variety of styles- something for everyone. Usually so on trend & fresh in your mind you don’t think twice about how you’re wearing a slogan tee 48 hours after the slogan was said live on TV. Materials used are generally made of cheap, low-quality materials with a poor finish; & you’re probably getting emails and texts daily about their latest stock or new line that’s just been released.

We used to look forward to the new fashion releases twice a year at fashion weeks, now these companies bring out something new weekly.

Use your money to vote

We all take elections very seriously but we are voting every time we spend money. We are telling large companies what we want and how quickly we want it.

There are a few fun alternatives to mix up your wardrobe if you absolutely need to buy something.

First a personal favourite of mine, Depop. The beauty of Depop is you can earn cash for anything you may have lying around not being used to it’s potential. On Depop you can buy & sell your pre loved clothes & accessories. So your current wardrobe could pay for a new one.

Depop purchase

Another option is inspired by the fabulous Marie Kondo: Vow to buy less. I’m not telling you to go full-blown minimalistic, if you want to give it a go that’s amazing, however we’re human. What does happen when you buy less is it brings out your creative side, you get creative funding different ways to wear, style & accessories with what you’ve already got! (Oh and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint, win-win). The below skirt I had as a gift back in 2016, it’s still in great condition works with everything & is a must have on holiday.

Good quality red skirt

Spend your money on items based on longevity. Generally the items you’re buying from fast fashion companies don’t last, they’re not designed to. They want you to go back next week and buy more or they’re so now that they’ll be out fashion anyway. If you buy stylish pieces made from good quality materials you’re investing in your wardrobe & yourself. I think we could all do more of that! There are lots of materials out there it can be scary, so if you’re not sure what to look for, here’s a few pointers: linen, silk, hemp, and wool are considered low-impact textiles. Also, you may have seen vegan leather alternatives taking over the scene more & more. Thanks Dr Matens!

Vegan leather Chelsea boots

My bonus tip is sharing is caring, & by that I mean borrow lend & swop clothes. Over &over again, we all love a #whoworeitbetter my cousin once brought a stunning dress for NYEs in NY which has done the rounds, it looks great on everyone!

#whoworeitbetter

#whoworeitbetter

Are you a die hard trendy fashionista or do you love a pre loved?

Let me know

-Tee xx

3 fitness goals for 2020

fitness, lifestyle

January is in full swing, gym memberships are on offer everywhere you look & everyone is on a new diet. And as with every year it will be a few short weeks until the dark cold nights win & cooked hot food wins over the salad every time. (Side note before I get into this post if you’re on a new year diet in the UK right now and it involves eating salad in January walk away and find a diet that is far more suitable and sustainable because salads are not plus warm cooked meals can be just as healthy) another side note the previous sentence does not apply if you’re on a raw diet in that case I take my hat off to you because that is hard work! No one sets out with the intention of being that person that makes a solid week’s appearance at the gym followed by a few good sessions followed by one class per week followed by cancelling your direct debt.

There is a cheat that will help you stay dedicated and on track. Set SMART goals!!! Yes smart goals… if you don’t know what SMART stands for it’s;

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time limit

You’re goals should tick each one of these! I want you to think hard about what your fitness goals are and why!!!

Don’t just say I want to be toned or I want to lose a stone… how do YOU want to look and feel?

A phone background of some woman’s abs who happens to be a PT and in the gym 5 days a week 2 hours at a time isn’t realistic if you’re a mom with a full time job.

If it’s not realistic then you’re going to lose momentum quickly when you haven’t seen any results by the end of January.

New Years 2020

Every year, I set a few fitness goals that I want to achieve back in 2018 I killed it and I was so happy with my body, in 2019 I wasn’t as dedicated to the cause & I wasn’t as realistic with my time.

So this year I have written down my 3 fitness goals for 2020 and I’m sharing them with you to help me stay accountable! (I swear by accountability & you can read about it here)

DO A PULL-UP

Okay this is actually on my list of 30 things to do before I’m 30 so I actually have until August to achieve this one. For someone who’s legs are relatively strong & has one of the strongest cores of everyone I know the lack of functional strength in my upper body is actually laughable

So this year, I’m pushing myself (pun intended) to cross-train a lot more & get on the rowers. That means more sculpt classes, weight training at the gym, and also incorporating various exercises that help prepare for pull-ups <fortunately I have a good plan that I started working on previously when I was training with Deon! (Check him out on Instagram)

Pull ups

FINALLY BE ABLE TO RUN 10k  (WITHOUT STOPPING)

I’m all for small wins to help keep me motivated and get the momentum going to help keep me on track. That’s why having a plan especially when it comes to something like running distance is super important.

Again I’m going for accountability, I’m taking my gym bag to the office I’ll be telling everyone I sit by that I’m going for a run at lunch even if they don’t want to hear it because that’s what will hold me accountable.

I’m also all about the recovery with this one, & recovery is right on trend in 2020. My aim is to run 10k without stopping so rest is important for my body to heal, there’s no point getting to 9k then being told not to run for a month because of shin splints just to start all over again. Shin splints are the real deal & I’ve suffered through them before but I don’t recommend anyone does this.

If you do start get early signs of shin splints ice rest and stretches are your best friend!

LEARN TO SNOWBOARD

So this goal started off as learn to ski, because well I can’t! I never went on ski trips at school because they were far too expensive & I HATE the cold even more so now I suffer with raynauds. A few months back now I was invited on a ski holiday however after saying yes but disclosing I can’t & have never been skiing it was suggest I shouldn’t go due to the high coast of equipment, lessons & clothing, also apparently it’s not fun if you’re on a baby slope & everyone else is on the big one. So I made a vow that this would never happen again & I looked into lessons. However…. way back when I had a PS1 I was obsessed with a snowboarding game & after some consideration decided I just feel like snowboarding is cooler so I booked the lesson & headed over to Sweaty Betty’s sale to get some stylishly warm clothing!!!

Sweaty Betty Ski

Sweaty Betty

& of course I’m always up for a day of new activities that help you stay fit & active. See fun & fitness it’s all about balance!

So there you have it, it’s out in the world now & before I head off to the gym  I want to address some of the cock blockers to achieving fitness goals;

  1. I don’t actually believe that I will do it – this is me and the pull up! When I was little I would try and do the monkey swings and NEVER could. My dad in all he’s kindness just said it’s okay they’re really hard. Now I know monkey swings aren’t pull ups but it’s all holding your own body weight ….
  2. I don’t envision myself accomplishing the goal – 10k!!!! Do I know I can survive 10k yes I do, but to do it without stopping…serious mind block! I don’t envision myself running none stop, when I picture myself running I envision headphones, sweat, stitch & getting out of breath. Maybe because my very first attempt to get fit was a 5 minute run that left me seeing spots feeling sick and due to no sports bra left a friction burn in my cleavage, but hey that was 5 years ago things change and I have a amazing bra that looks after the girls!!
  3. I don’t write out an action plan or make a plan if any kind- well guess what booking & paying for lessons or PTs or anything like that is sure as hell going to keep you accountable!!

Well of COURSE I can’t seem to reach my aspiring fitness goals with this kind of mindset!

The mind plays such a important part when it comes to fitness, there is a great deal of mind over matter!

What are your fitness goals for 2020? I’d love to know what you’re working towards!

-Tee x

2020 trend predictions

lifestyle

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2020 is finally here & as I like to be on the pulse when it comes to trends I wanted to put together a few of the trend predictions that should be on your radar in 2020.

Most of the trends have popped up in 2019 already but are really about to have their moment.

I’ve broken these down into different sections to make this easier for you to read, read all of them or just ones that are relevant to you. Take what you want & leave what you don’t but have some fun trying something new in 2020.

I’ve kept it simple with my favourite 3!

Fitness trends;

Important of rest; yes 2020 is the year of low impact and recovery training. 2019 saw PTs telling us that we need to rest at least twice a week. To help us get on board Accessories like compression boots are trending, and even recovery-focused studios and services like flotation therapy (there’s a great little floating spa in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham). Cryotherapy is up next also known as cold therapy. I’ve not actually tried this however while at Hoar Cross Hall recently I spent some time in a salt room followed by a ice cold shower with ice. I’m not going to lie I totally loved this, I mean not at the time but when I came out I felt so fresh! It was amazing! I’ve also taken to blasting the shower cold before I get out in a morning.

SURFING; although I’ve never actually been surfing I’m all for any activity that gets me into the water. There are going to be more surfing competitions, clubs not to mention it’s recently become a recognised Olympic sport! Don’t fancy getting in the open water? Or wanting to try it out without relying on the famous British summer you can also get check out new man made surf spots like The Wave in Bristol. If you’re hitting the water why not try a sustainable swimsuit made from ocean waste and reused yarn. Im in love with this one.

Wearable tech; between wearable tech and new apps there’s nothing you can’t track; sleep, heart beat, downloadable running maps etc. Information is power & according to some research having the information on our phones updating daily is keeping us motivated & on track. However be careful here & don’t get too reliant on these, they can be addictive.

Beauty & Wellness trends;

Aluminium free deodorant and I am so excited about this because I have spent the last 12 months trying to find a good aluminium free deodorant. So far I really rate the soft and gentle.

Redefining self care self care is obviously here to stay! But instead of the goal being to schedule it in I think the power of self care lies more with freeing up time & removing unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Food trends;

Plant based is here to stay! PB has grown massively in 2019 but it’s about to get bigger. Expect to see more plant based options, meat alternatives & green filled options in stores & restaurants. HOWEVER I stand by my number one rule here, you do you! Listen to your body, you don’t need to suffer for a diet trend.

Kombucha I’ve already wrote about how much I love kombucha here

Brussel sprouts yes that’s right I said SPROUTS! I’m not here this at all but the health benefits are undeniable & people are getting creative with cooking them.

So there you have it my 2020 trends, what are your predictions I’d love to hear….

Love

-Tee x

Why you should drink kombucha

beauTEE, beauty, essential, gym bag, Health, holistic, holistic medicene, inflamation, lifestyle, natrual

Kombucha has been around for centuries but as with many other things the western world is only just beginning to fully embrace the wonders of kombucha. I was first introduced to kombucha at the back end of 2018 after attending a yoga class followed by a vegan meal, the yoga teacher brought in some kombucha for people to pass around & try & I was hooked, almost immediately. I’m not going to lie my actual first response was eww this smells like beer but once you get past the smell it’s actually delicious.

Kevita kombucha

Just to be clear when I say I was hooked… I mean like full on addicted. My car is actually filled with kombucha bottles and my mom even added a bottle to my Christmas stocking! It’s that serious.

There’s a reason health fanatics are so pro-Kombucha and me! The fizzy drink is full of good gut bacteria that offers a natural energy boost, it’s known benefits are endless check them out:

1.} Detoxification.

2.} Joint care.

3.} Aid in digestion & gut health.

4.} Helps with constipation ( fun shit– literally ).

5.} It’s immune boosting.

6.} Aids in liver function.

7.} The tea is vegan, gluten-free, & contains no GMO

It’s so good that Deliciously Ella talks about it all the time & makes her own!

Healthy kombucha

Okay so I may get overly excited on this topic so let’s back track a little…

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented (yes fermented hence the beer like smell) tea packed with millions of good bacteria. It’s a probiotic containing both Vitamins B & C. It’s super cleansing and detoxifying and I think it’s an absolute power house of an elixir. 

What are the benefits?

If you still need convincing Kombucha is excellent for improving gut health & gut health is on trend for 2020! For years we have all underestimated the importance of a good healthy gut even though we’ve all seen the Actimel adverts. The diet culture of reduced everything has had its day & people are turning to more raw & basic foods to reduce risk of allergies and chronic disease. No one needs the fake overly processed options anyway even if they are low fat! Kombucha packs a punch and works wonders for your internal health. (And tastes delicious with champagne)

Kombucha champagne cocktail

So what makes Kombucha such a magical drink?

The key ingredient is scoby – a miraculous piece of living organisms. Not only is it fantastic for making Kombucha but there are so many wonderful things you can do with them. I’ve read about multiple face masks you can easily make at home with scoby & a Nutribullet, blending it down and putting it on your face! I’ve not tried this yet but I’ll keep you updated on Instagram (if you don’t follow me head over to my page reali_tee ).

My favourite;

My favourite by far is Captain kombucha get the raspberry it’s insane! You can pick it up in Holland & Barrettes or Kevita in every flavour going!!!!

Captain kombucha raspberry

Kevita kombucha

Have you tried kombucha? Are you just as addicted or should I seek help?

– Tee x

Why you should ask yourself why

beauty inside out, essential, glow up, holistic, intention, lifestyle, mental health, natrual, self care, serenitee

EVERYONE WANTS THE INSTAGRAM LIFE RIGHT…..

Instagram lifestyle

But the realiTEE is life is full of decisions- soooo many decisions. What option to choose? What if I do nothing & let life just happen? These are questions I am consistantly asking myself. Should I? Or shouldn’t I? Welcome to my daily battle….

I’m convinced it isn’t just myself that has this daily struggle and therefore have read many articles, blog posts and books on the important questions you need to ask in order to design the life you want.

The good news is there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, there are 3 questions that keep coming up in all the different content I’ve read/ listened to.

Designing your life

So I thought as a result I would summarise my research & share the 3 main points with you in the hopes that they will bring value into your life or business.

I’ll be real I have not found these easy and it takes a conscious effort daily to put these into practice.

So far I have focussed on my personal life & these three questions have provided me with vision & focus. I feel clarity & there is something very empowering about knowing you have made your decisions in life, not let life just happen and allowed yourself to be a victim of life.

If all this post does it get you thinking & doing your own research then I’m glad you stopped by.

Let’s get into it- shall we?:

1.) WHATS YOUR WHY:

You don’t have to share your why if you don’t want to, it can be completely personal, but it shouldn’t be anything like money. It is clear that many people in history that have only chased money have played a VERY short game! Look at the Wolf on Wall Street… yes he was filthy rich for a while but he’s why was just money and he got so carried away he didn’t look at the wider picture. I recommend you check out he’s podcast, hell tell you himself that now he’s why is to help people he is such more driven. There has to be something more meaningful. Something that gives purpose.

I have been there focused on the money and the short term & as a result made bad choices. These bad choices led to a tormented conscious & a LOT of anxiety… this is because I wasn’t being honest to myself or becoming a person I was proud of.

Your WHY is like a compass let it lead you when creating your life/business. If you don’t have a concrete WHY, you will give into things that you probably wouldn’t have given into in the first place. If you have a strong WHY when you’re hit with the hard choices you’ll have a idea of where you want to go and what you want your outcome to be. It will make choices easier & give you confidence in your decisions.

It is proven that hand writing out your WHY & looking at it daily, refer to it daily, tell your closest friends, let them hold you accountable.

My WHY is building a like-minded community. My boyfriend sparked this idea in me almost a year ago when he told me to go & find more friends who had similar interests to me… my search for like-minded people has led to me branching out in the content I consume & for the first time in my life I stayed committed to a promise I made myself & produced content for a whole year. I’ve connected with woman from around the world & I’m so grateful for that. I love hearing like-minded people coming together sharing their tips & tricks in an unapologetic way. It’s amazing what you can learn if you stay open minded & un-judgemental.

2.) DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE:

Let’s face it leaving a bad day at the office and coming home a bundle of joy is not a natural human trait. I really struggle to not take something personal especially when I’ve poured my heart & soul into a project. My boss & I recently sat & had a long discussion about this, it turns out he also reads the Daily stoic & he’s advice was to acknowledge that people are hard on the task not the person. My boyfriend is very good at this, app& when annoyed or agree he’s very good at addressing a issue and consciously moving on. He’s fabulous at not holding a grudge & this is something I’m really trying to learn from him.

Back to the point: what kind of life makes you happy?

Get as creative as you’d like here, write it down, draw it if you’d like. Create a strategic future by design. My boyfriend is a fan of having a year, 3 year & 5 year plan. List systems to get to your goals. To do lists. Habits. It’s all good stuff.

Here’s the caveat…. don’t get tied down by the plan. The outcome is key but you need to be flexible. I get so tied down with the plan & experience stress & anxiety at new levels when something I can’t control goes wrong. I always have to take a moment, breath & remind myself ‘the best laid plans of mice & men’

As for the kind of life I’m creating for myself is simple: freedom. Freedom to come & go as I please, to travel to the far corners of the world whenever I want. Freedom to provide for myself without the panic of not knowing if I’ll have money left at the end of the month. Freedom to DO ME unapologeticly.

Freedom to me represents a peaceful & happy life.

I also believe that this goal helps my relationships. I’ve been stuck in a relationship where I was dependent on the other person & I felt resentful.

Knowing that I don’t need my boyfriend I chose to be with him because he makes my life better makes me value him so much more & I’m grateful everyday. This doesn’t just go for my boyfriend, there is no one in my life I am dependent on. The people I keep close to me & engage with regularly are people that I want to surround myself with.

Getting to this realisation wasn’t that easy, a lot of people will tell you they want freedom but that looks different to everyone & what has driven you to that desire will be completely different to mine.

I started with a list of things that were important to me and for each one I asked myself why 5 times… & almost everything on that list lead to freedom for me.

You get the drift.

Spend some time on this one. Write out a list of what makes you happy & a list of what makes you sad…then simply do more of what makes you happy.

The art of not giving a…

3.) OTHERS SUCCESS DOESN’T TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR HARD WORK:

THIS IS SOMETHING we are all guilty of.

Whether you scroll through Instagram & wish that was your life or you’ve sat there and thought ‘I’m so behind in life, Sandra is married with kids at 30 and I’m still living at home.’

As long as you have your WHY & your END GOAL then you’re on your track!

Let Sandra do Sandra.

Let Billy do Billy.

& Janet’s new outfit every time you meet for cocktails…. not your business!

Becoming obsessed with other people’s lives is NOT SERVING YOU! It doesn’t effect your actions & your output.

It just doesn’t. Drop the judgement.

We are all a work in progress.

We are all diamonds in the rough.

For me I’ve never understood the race to finish line, because there is no finish line. If there was it would be boring when you got there anyway.

Imagine never growing or learning anything else…

What I want to learn & work on are completely different priorities than my cousin who wants to achieve so much. It’s okay that we want to learn & growing different ways.

I wish her all the best & I’m so proud but her growth doesn’t make me any less of a human.

However this is difficult at times when you feel like everyone is running off & you’re stationery. I have moments where I will literally catch myself before I wreck myself.

Brave new girl

Girl stop apologising

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

So I hope this not so brief post has provided some perspective & helps you to gain some clarity.

Stay in YOUR own lane. Focus on YOU. Go towards YOUR goal. Stop looking around, Who cares what everyone else is doing?

Make your choices. Own them. Define them.

Honey just do you….

Tee x

How to embrace ME time

essential, glow up, Health, lifestyle, mental health, running, self care, serenitee, tips

Hey hey hey!

Sooo…. Now that I’ve moved in with my boyfriend and live a short distance from my office I’ve found myself with a lot more alone time. My boyfriend leaves before me each morning and arrives home about 2 hours after I do each evening.

This is a total 180 compared to living with my father who was always home.

At first it was kind of weird but I couldn’t actually remember the last time I had had time by self.

Alone time

So I decided to embrace this me time and make a list of ways I like to spend time alone (I love a list, really helps me organise my thoughts… I can’t be the only one doing this surely 🤷🏼‍♀️)

6 things to do alone:

1.) Go outside: this includes taking a walk/ run and using that time to listen to a podcast. There are so many little side streets and areas of Birmingham that not even I’ve explored, my favourite route is via the canal. I just find water so relaxing.

Birmingham library

2.) Cooking: Okay this I do and time so dinner is ready for when my boyfriend walks in, sounds soppy I know but honestly I don’t like to eat late! I find cooking so relaxing, again I may have a podcast on or a Netflix documentary playing on the iPad or just music while I dance around.

Homemade meals

3.) Light a candle: add a cheeky dessert maybe a bit of music playing & just chill. I’ve seriously been craving cinnamon buns lately & after I found this recipe for vegan options I just had to make them. Honestly sitting down to enjoy this in peace & quite easy pure joy & satisfaction! Most of the time sitting down and lighting a candle goes hand in hand with reading a book. Reading is one of my favorite things to do, I honestly believe it makes me a more rounded person and I love the fact you can never run out of things to read. Sitting down with a cup of tea, a good book & a candle is one of my ideas of HEAVEN.

Candlelit dessert

4.) Go to a restaurant: ALONE! Okay I’ll admit I had never actually done this until recently when I found myself waiting 3 hours for breakdown to come out and fix my car. But OMG it was life changing! Now I love it I get to go a try places that I don’t normally go to with other people and just enjoy a meal maybe a cheeky cocktail and just people watch! Also there’s no one there to pull a face at my kale salad followed by a little cheesecake! Nothing like eating alone at a restaurant : ). It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite things ever.

Eating solo

5.) Drink a cup of coffee & CHILLLLL: I loveeeee enjoying a cup of coffee l. I really savour it! & as much as I enjoy going home to meet my dad in our favourite place I do enjoy a nice stroll to a local independent by myself and doing a bit of reading. Right now I’m feeling so festive and having a moment with coconut milk, sometimes I’ll have it as a mocha and other times a dirty chia latte but ALWAYS with cinnamon. I fully zone out in a morning while enjoying my coffee, honestly the barista asked me a question the other day and actually made me jump!

Perfect coffee morning

How do you like to spend time alone?

– Tee, xx

How to keep your shit together this Christmas season.

beauTEE, lifestyle

‘Tis the season to be jolly! That said the closer we get to the big day the more stressed out we seem to get and we’re so focused making sure we’ve got everything for everyone else or too busy going out that the self care sometimes takes a back seat.

 

Whether you’re getting ready for your works do, going for festive drinks at lunch, seeing old friends or driving home, we all want to look our best this festive season.  Surviving Christmas does of course mean fighting hangovers, dull dehydrated skin, and puffy eyes & face thanks to one too many helpings at the Christmas buffet.

So here’s my Christmas self care survival guide, for your sanity, for your headaches and for your skin.

 

Relax this Christmas

1. Preparation
It sounds obvious, but with all the rushing around at Christmas, it can be so easy to forget the things we need.  I love a list and it feels so good when you tick something off. Whether it’s a list of presents to buy or a packing list if you’re away for a night or two.  Knickers, contact lenses, medication & skin care! Better to take too much than not enough.

Organisation

2. Eat well
When you’re starting every day in December with a lump of chocolate from your advent calendar it’s all too easy to let any kind of healthy eating plan go right out of the window! Treats are fine after all it’s Christmas but it’s also important to remember the age old adage that you are what you eat!  Trust me; you’ll feel, and look better for it. Stock up your plate with veggies and star your mornings with some fruit, these will help your insides (and let’s face it if you’re anything like me your liver will be working over time this month). Leave the bad dietary choices to your party goblin & make good choices while you can.

Bone broth veggie soup

3. Keep hydrated
Remember it’s 8 glasses of WATER a day, not Prosecco. During in the day I stick to water and herbal teas and only one coffee (don’t forget coffee dehydrates you!) Before heading out leave a glass of water next to your bed and down it before your head hits the pillow, you’ll thank yourself the day after. It’s not just the booze, long nights and cold days can leave my skin looking dull and dry, Summer Fridays jet lag mask is a absolute must for me most nights in December it’s so hydrating and leaves me skin with a nice healthy glow each morning. My second favourite beauty product is glossier balm dotcom, just a little bit is packed with antioxidants to nourish dry and chafed skin.

Hydration for the skin

4. Take your make-up off
This isn’t just a December rule,it should be an actual law! At the end of a long day, I get it your bed is so tempting and calling you at 1am but you need to resist. Stay strong and spend a couple of minutes getting it all off. Cleanse, tone and moisturise!  Lay your nighttime routine out before you leave so it’s there as a reminder when you’re back. No one wants a breakout at Christmas.

Nighttime routine

5. Relax
Between lunching with girlfriends, getting the food shopping done and fighting for the best Black Friday deals it’s easy to forget to chill out, especially if you’re out with friends but that can still be draining and if you’re out night after night your sleeping partner is bound to take a hit.  If you’re flagging, 15 minutes in a hot bath with a few drops of your favourite oils or natural salts does wonders for your soul – and keeps you glowing and refreshed!

6. Have fun!
It’ the most magical time of the year and you deserve to have fun! Try not to get yourself so bogged down with trying to make sure that everyone else has an amazing Christmas that you forget to have a good time yourself!  Step away from the already perfect Christmas tree and stop rearranging those baubles.  Christmas is a time of love, laughter and being in the moment.

Christmas fun

I hope you have a magical Christmas and enjoy all the festivities 🥳

What’s your survival tip for the festive season?

Love Tee